Legion news

Legion Supports Aboriginal Awareness Week

May 20, 2015

Ottawa, ON, 19 May 2015– The Royal Canadian Legion acknowledged Aboriginal Awareness Week (AAW) as well as the many Aboriginal cultures in Canada, including First Nations, the Inuit and the Métis earlier today.

“Acknowledging our Canadian Mosaic is important,” says Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Tom Eagles. “To be afforded the opportunity to participate in this event and show our support for the many Aboriginals who served and continue to do so in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as the Canadian Armed Forces is also very important for us,” adds Eagles.

First Nations, the Inuit and the Métis have an important military history. For example, during the First World War, more than 4,000 Aboriginal Canadians volunteered to join the military. During the Second World War, more than 3,000 Aboriginal Canadians served in our military overseas. A few years later, hundreds volunteered to help the United Nations defend South Korea during the Korean War. This proud history of support to defend this country continues to this day. Likewise, in the early days of the Legion, many Aboriginal Veterans were some of the first members to join this organization and play a key role in the direction the Legion would take in support of all Veterans. Today, many Aboriginals are members of the Legion where they are still engaged in shaping the future of Canada’s largest Veterans’ not-for-profit organization.

The Legion participated in the AAW by having a kiosk on the main concourse in the MGen. George R. Pearkes Building, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa today. This event is part of a larger Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat (AAS) initiative, in conjunction with Parks Canada, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to recognize Aboriginals in the public service – including military and Royal Canadian Mounted Police service.

- 30 -

For further information please contact Bruce Poulin at Dominion Command, The Royal Canadian Legion at (613) 591-3335 ext. 241 or by cell at (613) 292-8760 or bruce.poulin@legion.ca.